DUNCAN Bell has signed a new contract to coach Lydney next season.

"I'm very pleased," said the former Bath and England prop forward.

"There are not many relegated clubs who keep their coaches.

"When I came here the club was in complete transition. The target I was given at the start of the year was to get 40 points and we did that.

"When I came here we didn't even have a squad.

"There were a lot of issues and it was a very stressful year but I've a lot of confidence in my coaching ability."

Bell believes dropping down from National Two South may allow the club to regroup.

He said: "It took us until Christmas to get a settled squad and we won one of our first 11.

"In the second half of the season our away form wasn't good but we won six out of eight at home.

"In our last game at Hartpury, one of the best sides in the division, we dominated for 70 minutes and carried like Trojans.

"I'm told it's the first time in ages a team has been relegated with 40 points."

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